US4975185A - Portable water purification system - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable water purification system (10) includes a portable reservoir (12) for containing a contaminated water supply (14) and a separator module (48) for separating water and water soluble substance permeate from a contaminated water retentate. A permeate outlet (52) is operatively connected to the separator module (48) for releasing water and water soluble substances from the system (10). A return conduit (34) is operatively connected between the separator module (48) and the reservoir (12) for returning contaminated water retentate back to the reservoir (12). A plunger (54) is operatively connected to the reservoir (12) and includes an inlet chamber (32). The plunger draws contaminated water from the reservoir (12) and forces the contaminated water (32) through the separator module (48) so that the permeate flows out the permeate outlet (52) and the retentate flows out the return conduit (36).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an apparatus for the reclamation of water from contaminated water. More specifically, the present invention relates to a portable device for removing contaminating substances from contaminated water.

BACKGROUND ART

A need frequently arises for a supply of pure drinking water when regular supplies of potable water are unavailable. For example, campers, hunters, operators of recreational vehicles, pleasure boaters, and military personnel often require pure drinking water when none is readily available. However, water contaminated with microbes, hydrocarbons, or other contaminants may be available. In addition to situations arising in remote areas, pure water is often in scarce supply in certain countries of the world.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,857,081, issued Aug. 15, 1989, to applicant and assigned to the assignee of the present invention provides a process for separating hydrocarbons and halogenated hydrocarbons from water contaminated therewith. The process utilizes hollow fibers made from regenerated cuproammonium or viscose cellulose. The process provides a means for drying hydrocarbons and halogenated hydrocarbons as well as providing a water permeate free of hydrocarbons and halogenated hydrocarbons.

The present invention provides a portable device for in-situ purification of suspect water wherein microbial agents such as viruses, bacteria, molds, algae and other microorganisms such as parasites may be effectively removed from available water supplies. The invention further provides a portable device for the removal of oily contamination from suspect water simultaneously with the removal of the microorganisms. Further, the invention provides a portable apparatus than can purify water without the use of electricity or additional paraphernalia.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a portable water purification system including portable water reservoir means for containing a contaminated water supply and separator means for separating a water and water soluble substance permeate from a contaminated water retentate. A permeate outlet is operatively connected to the separator means for releasing water and water soluble substances from this system and a return conduit is operatively connected between the separator means and the reservoir for returning contaminated water retentate back to the reservoir. The invention is characterized by including plunger means operatively connected to the reservoir means and including an inlet chamber for drawing contaminated water therefrom. The plunger means contains the separator means therein for forcing the contaminated water in the inlet chamber through the separator means so that the permeate flows out the permeate outlet and the retentate flows to the return conduit.

FIGURES IN THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view partially in cross section of a portable purification system made in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a hollow fiber membrane which forms part of the separation means of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A portable water purification system constructed in accordance with the present invention is generally shown at 10 in the Figure. Thesystem 10 includes aportable reservoir 12 for containing a contaminatedwater supply 14 therein. Thereservoir 12 is in the form of acontainer 12 having aninner fluid chamber 16. Thechamber 16 includes a top surface 18 abottom surface 20 and aside wall 22 extending therebetween. Ahandle 24 is connected to thecontainer 12 to provide an easy means for carrying thesystem 10. Thecontainer 12 could have varying volume capacities, for example 1, 3, 5 or 10 gallon capacities. Thecontainer 12 includes afill port 26 for allowing filling of thereservoir 12 with the contaminatedwater 14.

Abarrel 28 is operatively connected to thereservoir 12. Thebarrel 28 includes aseparator chamber 30 and aninlet chamber 32. Theinlet chamber 32 is disposed adjacent to theseparator chamber 30 and is in fluid communication therewith. Thebarrel 28 includes a tapered constriction providing areturn outlet 34 at the bottom thereof. Anoutlet conduit 36 is in fluid communication with thereturn outlet 34 and includes anend portion 38 within theinner chamber 16 of thecontainer 12. Aninlet conduit 40 is in fluid communication with theinlet chamber 32 and includes anend portion 42 disposed within thefluid chamber 16.

Theinlet conduit 40 includes a first oneway valve 44 allowing one way directional flow of fluid from theinner fluid chamber 16 to theinlet chamber 32. Theoutlet conduit 36 includes a second oneway valve 46 which allows one way fluid flow from thereturn outlet 34 to theinner chamber 16 of thereservoir 12.

Thesystem 10 includes separator means for separating a water and water soluble substance permeate from a contaminated water retentate. More specifically, the separator means comprises a cartridge generally indicated at 48 including a plurality of hollow fiber membranes consisting of polyglucose fibers, such as regenerated cuproammonium or viscose cellulose fibers. Such fibers for the use of separating hydrocarbons and halogenated hydrocarbons from a water permeate are discussed in detail in the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 194,984 to applicant. These preferred membranes are composed of regenerated cellulose such as made from the viscose or cuproammonium process. Regenerated hollow fibers are convenient for employment as the membrane in the water purification module, but spiral wound sheets or tubes of viscose or cuproammonium regenerated cellulose may also be used. Such membranes have the ability of separating water from such microbial agents as viruses, bacteria, molds, algae, and other microorganisms such as parasites. The membranes are also capable of removing oily contamination from suspect water simultaneously with the removal of the microorganisms. The membranes are nonporous in nature and capable of permeation of water while being nonpermeable to water insoluble products including the above mentioned microbes. The membranes do not degrade when placed in contact with contaminates such as hydrocarbons and halogenated hydrocarbons.

Each fiber includes aninner core 53 andouter surface 55, as shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 1, theinner cores 53 are in fluid communication with theinlet chamber 32 andoutlet 34. Theouter surfaces 55 are in fluid communication with theseparation chamber 30 andpermeate outlet 52. The permeate outlet is operatively connected to theseparator module 48 for releasing water and water soluble substances from thesystem 10.

The invention includes plunger means operatively connected to thereservoir 12 for drawing contaminated water from thereservoir 12 and forcing the contaminated water through theseparator module 48 so that the permeate flows out thepermeate outlet 52 and the retentate flows to thereturn conduit 36. More specifically, the plunger means includes theinlet chamber 32 and a plunger generally indicated at 54 which is axially slideably disposed therein. Theinlet chamber 32 includes awall 58 disposed thereabout. The plunger means 54 includes apiston 60 disposed within theinlet chamber 32 and in sealing engagement with thewall 58 disposed thereabout. Thepiston 60 is capable of axial reciprocating movement relative to thewall 58. Arod 62 is connected to thepiston 60 and extends axially therefrom. Therod 62 is exposed outside of thebarrel 28. Ahandle member 64 is connected to the end of therod 62 exposed outside of thebarrel 28. Theplunger 54 provides a pumping mechanism for drawing contaminated water from thereservoir 12 and into theinlet chamber 32 and then forcing the contaminated water from theinlet chamber 32 through theseparator module 48.

As shown in FIG. 1 and described above, thehollow cores 53 of thefibers 50 are in direct fluid communication with theinlet chamber 32. Alternatively, theinlet chamber 32 could be in fluid communication with the outer surfaces of thefibers 50 such that the permeate flows to the hollow cores of the fibers which would be in fluid communication with theseparator chamber 30 andpermeate outlet 52.

In operation, abarrel 28 including aseparation module 48 disposed therein is fitted to areservoir container 12 for holding water to be purified. Contaminated water is filled into thecontainer 12 through thefill port 26. Theplunger 54 is moved upwardly so as to draw contaminated water into theinlet chamber 32.Plunger 54 is forced downwardly to force the contaminated water into the separation module forcing a water permeate through thehollow fibers 50 and out thepermeate outlet 52. Contaminated water retentate remains within the cores of thehollow fibers 50 and is forced out theoutlet 34 into theoutlet conduit 36 and eventually into thecontainer 12. Theend portion 38 of theconduit 36 is spaced from theend portion 42 of theconduit 40 to allow for mixing of the retentate exiting theend portion 48 ofoutlet conduit 36 with the water contained within thecontainer 12 prior to being drawing into theend portion 42 of theinlet conduit 44. As shown in FIG. 1, theend portion 42 ofinlet conduit 40 is adjacent thebottom surface 20 of thecontainer 12 and theend portion 38 ofoutlet conduit 36 is disposed more proximate to theupper surface 18. This allows for mixing of the contaminated water retentate leaving theoutlet 38 with the contaminated water held within thecontainer 12 prior to its being drawn into theend portion 42 of theinlet conduit 40. Oneway valves 44,46 prevent theplunger 54 from either forcing contaminated water in theinlet chamber 32 back through theinlet conduit 40 or drawing contaminated water into theoutlet conduit 36.

EXAMPLESExample 1:

A hollow fiber separation module was constructed by encapsulating the ends of a bundle of cuproammonium regenerated cellulose hollow fibers in polyurethane. The polyurethane potting material was cut through exposing open hollow fibers. The bundle of hollow fibers was affixed in a tubular shaped housing made of polycarbonate material. The working surface area of the hollow fiber membrane water purification module was 0.2 m². The hollow fiber membrane device was fitted with a hand pump and the whole assembly connected to a reservoir. The pump was used to draw contaminated water from the reservoir and pass the water through the bores of the aforementioned hollow fiber water purification module. Water containing 0.5% tetrachloroethylene and 0.5% diesel fuel was placed in the reservoir for purification. Water permeating the hollow fiber membrane module was collected and analyzed by gas chromatography for the presence of hydrocarbons and halogenated hydrocarbons.

Results:

Gas chromatographic analysis of water permeate from the hollow fiber module determined that the water contained no detectable hydrocarbons or halogenated hydrocarbons. Detection limits of the analytical method=0.05 mg/l.

Example 2:

The device described in Example 1 was filled with stagnant water from a stream. The stagnant water contained an obvious green color which microscopic examination determined to be algae and other microorganisms. The stagnant algae contaminated water was pumped through the membrane device described as part of the system in Example 1 and samples collected for microscopic analysis. Water samples collected after passing through the membrane device appeared glass clear and bright. No evidence of algae or other microorganisms was apparent in the purified water after having passed through the membrane. The purified water samples were then incubated at 37° C. for 7 days. No algae occurred after 7 days incubation and the samples remained glass clear and bright. Microscopic examination of the incubated water samples after 7 days showed that no apparent microbiological growth had occurred.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims wherein reference numerals are merely for convenience and are not to be in any way limiting, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims (9)

What is claimed is:

1. A portable water purification system (10) comprising portable reservoir means (12) for containing a contaminated water supply (14); separation means (48) for separating a water and water soluble substance permeate from a contaminated water retentate; a permeate outlet (52), operatively connected to said separator means (48) for releasing water and water soluble substances from said system (10); and a return conduit (34) operatively connected between said separation means (48) and said reservoir means (12) for returning contaminated water retentate back to said reservoir means (12); characterized by plunger means (54) operatively connected to said reservoir means (12) and including an inlet chamber (32) for drawing contaminated water therefrom, said plunger means (54) containing said separator means therein for forcing the contaminated water in said inlet chamber (32) through said separator means (48) so that the permeate flows out said permeate outlet (52) and the retentate flows to said return conduit (36).

2. A system as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by including a barrel (28) connected to said reservoir means (12), said barrel (28) including a separator chamber (30) including said separator means (48), said barrel (28) further including said inlet chamber (32), said inlet chamber (32) being disposed adjacent to said separator chamber (30).

3. A system as set forth in claim 2 further characterized by said inlet chamber (32) including a wall (58) disposed thereabout said plunger means (54) further including a piston (60) disposed within said inlet chamber (32) and in sealing engagement with said wall (58) for axial reciprocating movement relative thereto, a rod (62) connected to said piston (60) and extending axially therefrom and being exposed outside of said barrel (28), and a handle member (64) connected to said rod (62) outside of said barrel (28).

4. A system as set forth in claim 3 further characterized by said separator means (48) comprising a cartridge including a plurality of hollow fiber membranes (50) consisting of regenerated cuproammonium cellulose or viscose cellulose fibers, each of said fibers having an outer surface (55) and an inner hollow core (53), said inlet chamber (32) and return conduit (36) being in direct fluid communication with either said outer surface or inner hollow core and said permeate outlet (52) being in fluid communication with, the other of said outer surface (55) or inner hollow core (53).

5. A system as set forth in claim 3 further characterized by said reservoir means including a fluid chamber having a top and bottom surface and a closed wall extending therebetween for containing the contaminated water therein, said outlet conduit extending from said barrel and into said fluid chamber and having an end portion, said system including an inlet conduit having a first end in fluid communication with said inlet chamber and a second end disposed within said fluid chambers and spaced from said end portion of said outlet conduit.

6. A system as set forth in claim 5 further characterized by said end portion of said outlet conduit being disposed proximate to said top surface and said second end of said inlet conduit being disposed proximate to said bottom surface.

7. A system as set forth in claim 5 further characterized by said outlet conduit (36) including first one way valve means (46) for allowing flow in only one direction from said barrel (28) to said reservoir means (12) and said inlet conduit (40) including second one way valve means (44) for allowing flow in only one direction from said reservoir means (12) to said inlet chamber (32).

8. A system as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by said reservoir means (12) including a fill port (26) for allowing filling of said reservoir means (12) with the contaminated water (14).

9. A portable water purification system (10) comprising: separator means (48) for separating a water and water soluble substance permeate from a contaminated water retentate; a permeate outlet (52) operatively connected to said separator means (48) for releasing water and water soluble substances from said system (10); and a return conduit (34) having one end operatively connected to said separation means (48) and a second end adapted to be connected to a reservoir (12) for returning contaminated water retentate back to the reservoir means (12); characterized by plunger means (54) adapted to be operatively connected to the reservoir (12) and including an inlet chamber (32) for drawing contaminated water therefrom, said plunger means (54) containing said separator means therein for forcing the contaminated water in said inlet chamber (32) through said separator means (48) so that the permeate flows out said permeate outlet (52) and the retentate flows to said return conduit (36).

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